Module PPC-4001:
Research Skills

Module Facts

Run by School of Human and Behavioural Sciences

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Prof Fay Short

Overall aims and purpose

This module will provide you with an opportunity to become an evidence-based practitioner by teaching you how to understand and conduct research in counselling.

Psychological research into how people think, feel, and behave can give counsellors a deeper understanding of their clients. Counselling research into which interventions are most effective can give counsellors clear guidance on which techniques to use with clients (and which techniques are based on pseudo-science). But we can only benefit from this research if we are able to read and understand research articles with a critical and informed eye. This module will give you an introduction to research skills so that you are able to understand and evaluate research in psychology and counselling.

You will gain a practical understanding of how to find and use research literature to enhance your work as a counsellor. You will also gain an understanding of the methods for conducting qualitative and quantitative research studies. You will explore the benefits and limitations of these different research methods, so that you can critically consider the value and risks of empirical analysis and the role of the self in research.

Course content

This module will be taught through a combination of lectures introducing the core research theories and computer labs to apply what you have learnt to develop your own research skills.

Topics covered in this module include: • Research and Therapy (Self-Assessment) • Finding Research Literature (Literature Reviews) • Accrediting Sources (Citations and References) • Dissecting Research Articles (Purpose and Structure) • Measuring the Mind (Research Measures) • Investigating the Individual (Samples and Populations) • Primary and Secondary (Systematic Reviews) • Individuals and Extremes (Systematic Case Studies) • Questions and Answers (Questionnaire, Interview, Focus Group Studies) • Recording and Reporting (Observational Studies) Please note that these topics are subject to change dependent on staff availability and the assessed needs of the students

Assessment Criteria

threshold

• Some use of research skills to address a problem • Some knowledge of research skills in counselling and psychotherapy • Understanding of the main concepts, but with factual errors in non-core concepts • Limited analysis showing only obvious points of evaluation and links between ideas • Highly limited originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Highly limited evidence of independent research • Arguments presented but lack coherence with evidence for only some claims • Focused but with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure • Acceptable presentation with appropriate expression • Attempt at correct format in appropriate referencing style

good

• Good use of research skills to address a problem • Strong knowledge of research skills in counselling and psychotherapy • Clear understanding and mostly free of factual errors • Some analysis showing critical evaluation and links between ideas • Some originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Some independent research • Coherent arguments with evidence for most claims • Focused and well structured • Good presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Mostly correct format in appropriate referencing style

excellent

• Excellent use of research skills to address a problem • Comprehensive knowledge of research skills in counselling and psychotherapy • Detailed understanding with no factual errors • Critical analysis showing evaluation and synthesis of ideas • Originality in approach, interpretation, and/or voice • Extensive independent research • Logically defended arguments with evidence for all claims • Highly focused and well structured • Excellent presentation with accurate and appropriate expression • Correct format in appropriate referencing style

Learning outcomes

  1. Review and evaluate research in therapy with a critical understanding of the value of empirical evidence for therapeutic interventions.

  2. Find, utilise, and critique appropriate therapeutic research literature.

  3. Understand different qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.

  4. Critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
CLASS TEST Classroom Exercises

Eight classroom exercises completed across the semester. Exercises are open-book sets of questions (often multiple-choice or short answer) accessed through Blackboard. Exercises can be completed in the weekly workshop with the lecturer available to answer questions if needed. Alternatively, the student can choose to complete the exercise in their own time outside the class during that week. Each exercise is made available on the Monday of that week, and must be submitted before the following Monday when the answers will be released. Each exercise should take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete, but the exercise itself has no time limit to ensure that it is fully inclusive for students with different learning needs.

 20.00
ESSAY Literature Review

Literature review of 1500wds critically exploring published research and theory into a key issue in counselling.

 80.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Lecture

Your lectures will show you how to conduct quantitative and qualitative research in counselling and psychotherapy.

 10
Practical classes and workshops

Your computer labs will give you a practical opportunity to apply your understanding of research skills.

 20
Private study

Your private independent study should focus on learning the skills to be an evidence-based practitioner who can understand and conduct research in counselling and psychotherapy.

 70

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Subject specific skills

  • Understand the scientific underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
  • Apply multiple perspectives to psychological issues and integrate ideas and findings across the multiple perspectives in psychology.
  • Communicate psychological concepts effectively in written form.
  • Be computer literate for the purpose of processing and disseminating psychological data and information.
  • Retrieve and organise information effectively.
  • Handle primary source material critically.
  • Work effectively under pressure (time pressure, limited resources, etc) as independent and pragmatic learners.
  • Problem-solve by clarifying questions, considering alternative solutions, making critical judgements, and evaluating outcomes.
  • Reason scientifically and demonstrate the relationship between theory and evidence.
  • Carry out empirical studies by operationalizing research questions, generating hypotheses, collecting data using a variety of methods, analysing data using quantitative and/or qualitative methods, and present and evaluate research findings (under appropriate supervision).
  • Comprehend and use psychological data effectively, demonstrating a systematic knowledge of the application and limitations of various research paradigms and techniques.
  • Employ evidence-based reasoning and examine practical, theoretical and ethical issues associated with the use of different methodologies, paradigms and methods of analysis in psychology.
  • Use a variety of psychological tools, including specialist software, laboratory equipment and psychometric instruments.

Resources

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: